Jeremy Figoten, CAE, on Mentorship and Negotiation

EDUCATION

American University, majoring in public communications, plus a master’s degree in public communications

FIRST INDUSTRY JOB

Executive assistant at the National Association of Chemical Distributors

MOST INFLUENCED IN HIS CAREER BY

Hilton Worldwide’s Sherry Romello, CMP, who as director of conferences and expositions for NAA gave Figoten his first meeting-planning job; and Doug Culkin, CAE, NAA’s president and CEO

WHAT HE LEARNED FROM ROMELLO

“Everything. She’s just the consummate professional. I learned how to deal with people.”

WHAT HE LEARNED FROM CULKIN

“I’ve learned what it takes to lead multiple groups and multiple people. To be able to communicate a single vision while working with multiple factions successfully.”

FAVORITE THING ABOUT HIS JOB

“Every day is different. I’ll never come in to work and do the same thing every day. Never.”

ADVICE FOR YOUNG MEETING PROFESSIONALS

“Ask a lot of questions. Don’t be afraid to volunteer, because there’s always plenty of work to do. Don’t sit back and rest on your laurels or rest on what you think was a successful conference or event, because there’s plenty more to learn to do it better, and there’s plenty of people available to help, too.”